WEBVTT >> -- SHOUTING, YOU ARE ALL GOING TO DIE, A MAN PLAYED THE ROLE OF A MASS KILLER IN THIS SCHOOL SHOOTING DEMONSTRATION. CANDY PETTICORD WAS THE FIRST VICTIM. >> YOU’RE STANDING THERE AND BREATHING HEAVILY. THEY ARE ALL DEAD. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME. TODD: BUCKEYE FIREARMS ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED THE EVENT TO PROMOTE THE GROUP’S PUSH TO LET MORE TEACHERS PACK HEAT. JEFF STAGGS LEADS A SCHOOL DISTRICT EAST OF COLUMBUS. TEACHERS THERE HAVE HAD GUNS IN THE CLASSROOM SINCE THE 2012 MASSACRE AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY. STAGGS KNOWS MANY PEOPLE OPPOSE THE IDEA OF ARMING EDUCATORS. >> WE DON’T PAY TEACHERS ENOUGH TO CARRY A GUN. HONESTLY, WE DO NOT. TODD: WHEN CONFRONTED BY CONCERNED PARENTS, STAGGS EMPHASIZES THE TRAINING ARMED TEACHERS GO THROUGH. >> AS AN EDUCATOR, THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WHEN WE STARTED IN OUR CAREERS THAT WE NEVER THOUGHT WE’D BE DOING. WHY DO WE DO IT? BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR KIDS. TODD: SUZANNE TRUBEE OF MAINEVILLE TOOK PART IN THE SIMULATION TO LEARN NEW WAYS TO PROTECT HER LOVED ONES. >> I ALMOST HALF FROZE. I DID GET UNDER THE TABLE. IT WAS CRAZY, THE CHAIRS FLYING. IN MY MIND THEY FLEW. MY HEART STOPPED FOR SURE. TODD: IN A FOLLOW UP EXERCISE, CANDY PETTICORD HAD A WEAPON AND WAS ABLE TO SHOOT BACK, STOPPING THE ATTACKER. >> I DEFENDED MY FRIENDS. THAT FELT AWESOME. TODD: AS A MOM, PETTICORD THINKS TEACHERS WHO VOLUNTEER TO CARRY GUNS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO. >> IF THAT TEACHER IS WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE TO PROTECT MY CHILD, I SAY ARM ’EM. I SAY LET THEM. I SAY TRAIN THEM SO THEY CAN DO JUST THAT. TODD: THE IDEA OF ARMING EDUCATORS IS EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL. I’VE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS, WHO THINK PUTTING MORE FIREARMS IN SCHOOLS IS A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. EVEN SO, BUCKEYE FIREARMS SAYS SCHOOL WORKERS IN 76 OF OHIO’S 88 COUNTIES, HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO CARRY GUNS IN THE CLASSROOM. TODD DYKES, WLWT NEW

School boards in Ohio not required to reveal if educators can carry guns in class

Certain teachers with concealed carry permits in Staggs' district have had guns in the classroom since the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

Ohio school districts that choose to embrace the concept of arming teachers don't have to reveal which educators carry guns, since it's tied to safety planning.

Staggs believes interest in finding out more about Buckeye Firearms' weapons training program is increasing at other school districts, especially since the January school massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

"Unfortunately it takes a tragedy for us to take a hard look at this," Staggs said. "Since that tragedy happened I believe school districts in Ohio and all over the country have taken another hard look at, you know, 'Is this an option for us?'"

The idea of arming educators is controversial, and Staggs knows many people say teachers should focus on instruction, not weapons training.

"We don't pay teachers enough to carry a gun," said Kimberly Whitehead during a recent meeting at a school district in Butler County. "Honestly, we do not."

While many share that sentiment, a representative with Buckeye Firearms Association said workers in 76 of Ohio's 88 counties have been trained to carry guns in the classroom.

When confronted by concerned parents, Staggs said he emphasizes the training armed teachers go through.

"As an educator, there's a lot of things that when we started in our careers that we never thought we'd be doing," Staggs said. "Why do we do it? Because we love our kids."

Suzanne Trubee, of Maineville, took part in active shooter demonstration to learn new ways to protect her loved ones.

"I almost half froze," Trubee said. "I did get under the table. It was crazy, the chairs flying. ... In my mind they flew."

In a follow up exercise, Petticord had a weapon and was able to shoot back, stopping the attacker.

"I defended my friends," Petticord said. "That felt awesome."

As a mom, Petticord thinks teachers who volunteer to carry guns should be allowed to do so.

"It is wrong for us to expect anyone to be a sitting duck, especially the people that we put over our children eight, nine, 10 hours a day," Petticord said. "If that teacher is willing to put their life on the line to protect my child, I say, 'Arm 'em.' I say, 'Let them.' I say, 'Train them so they can do just that.'"